Fill out this super quick survey to let me know what you think our priority campaigns should be, do you think you're getting value for money from WMANUS, what do you think is the key role of the convenor... will take you two minutes!
Click Here to take survey
Fee x
Campaign kick off...
And so it's begun!
When I decided to stand for WMANUS convenor, I really hadn't a clue how to go about it, but after three days the campaign is starting to become it's own!
I've spent the last couple of weeks calling around officers and unions, and I plan on spending the next few weeks visiting as many of you as possible (if you'll have me!) not just to talk about my policies, or why you should elect me, but more importantly about the future of the organisation!
My manifesto will be coming to a union office near you some time soon, and you will all be recieving an email from me asking if I can come and say hello! There are so many ways you can get involved, firstly, and really importantly, is to input into my manifesto - let me know what you think our campaigning priorities should be. You can do this by emailing me, or if you have a couple of minutes, filling out this really short survey on what you want from WMANUS: Click Here to take survey
I hope to speak to you soon!
If you have any ideas, or input, don't hesitate to get in touch!
All the best,
Fee x
When I decided to stand for WMANUS convenor, I really hadn't a clue how to go about it, but after three days the campaign is starting to become it's own!
I've spent the last couple of weeks calling around officers and unions, and I plan on spending the next few weeks visiting as many of you as possible (if you'll have me!) not just to talk about my policies, or why you should elect me, but more importantly about the future of the organisation!
My manifesto will be coming to a union office near you some time soon, and you will all be recieving an email from me asking if I can come and say hello! There are so many ways you can get involved, firstly, and really importantly, is to input into my manifesto - let me know what you think our campaigning priorities should be. You can do this by emailing me, or if you have a couple of minutes, filling out this really short survey on what you want from WMANUS: Click Here to take survey
I hope to speak to you soon!
If you have any ideas, or input, don't hesitate to get in touch!
All the best,
Fee x
Who I am, what I stand for, and what I want to achieve...
Hi! My name is Fee Wood, some of you may have seen me at one of the many conferences or
workshops that NUS provides for us, I’m the one with the purple hair and a crutch! For those who don’t know me I have been an Executive officer and trustee of Staffordshire University Student’s Union for the past three years, and this year in post as President.
I graduated in Photography from Staffordshire University in 2008 which today is still my main passion in what little spare time I tend to have! I am a member of the Unions’ Drama Society where in my time as a student I held the committee posts of production manager and president, I am also a member of LGBT society were I actively campaign for the rights of all members. Most recently I was invited to become the universities officer for the Stoke on Trent LGBT network.
My Vision of WMANUS is to see its members set and prioritises campaigns that its members wants to do, not what the executive thinks it wants to do.
Supporting FE unions, not just for more sabbatical posts, but for funding and staff support so these officers can carry out there duties effectively and when needed, providing resources to help them with their campaigns. I will also be at the end of the phone to support all officers in FE and HE.
I aim to set up a network of mentors in HE, that will help FE officers, supporting them and building strong bridges for collaborative action.
We need to create a stronger and more focused membership, on issues that effect them, so that they can represent actively on the many differing challenges they face in their areas and institutions.
With that membership, create a student manifesto for the general election. To be sent to all candidates in the West Midlands area, and invite these candidates to regional hustings were the WMANUS members can question them before they vote and then urge students to register to vote for the elections.
Facilitate in lobbying MP’s and local councillors, so that the voice can be herd in all places that matter to students so that they got the best deal.
Look at working with local police and councils to get a safer and cleaner community.
Work with NUS to secure fairer funding for higher education, by lobbying MPs’ to make sure they listen to the students in the area in this pivotal time for HE funding.
Above all, I am a candidate who will be there when support is needed, not just on campus with flyers, but with real support when you need it.
If elected I will be the Convenor who will deliver. By the first fresher’s fair in September, WMANUS will have a new web site, that is working for our members, which would include blogs, contact info for all officers, diary of campaigns and events, polls, message boards, campaigns, to name but a few.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch - I want my campaign to become your convenor, to be directed by you!
Fee x
workshops that NUS provides for us, I’m the one with the purple hair and a crutch! For those who don’t know me I have been an Executive officer and trustee of Staffordshire University Student’s Union for the past three years, and this year in post as President.
I graduated in Photography from Staffordshire University in 2008 which today is still my main passion in what little spare time I tend to have! I am a member of the Unions’ Drama Society where in my time as a student I held the committee posts of production manager and president, I am also a member of LGBT society were I actively campaign for the rights of all members. Most recently I was invited to become the universities officer for the Stoke on Trent LGBT network.
My Vision of WMANUS is to see its members set and prioritises campaigns that its members wants to do, not what the executive thinks it wants to do.
Supporting FE unions, not just for more sabbatical posts, but for funding and staff support so these officers can carry out there duties effectively and when needed, providing resources to help them with their campaigns. I will also be at the end of the phone to support all officers in FE and HE.
I aim to set up a network of mentors in HE, that will help FE officers, supporting them and building strong bridges for collaborative action.
We need to create a stronger and more focused membership, on issues that effect them, so that they can represent actively on the many differing challenges they face in their areas and institutions.
With that membership, create a student manifesto for the general election. To be sent to all candidates in the West Midlands area, and invite these candidates to regional hustings were the WMANUS members can question them before they vote and then urge students to register to vote for the elections.
Facilitate in lobbying MP’s and local councillors, so that the voice can be herd in all places that matter to students so that they got the best deal.
Look at working with local police and councils to get a safer and cleaner community.
Work with NUS to secure fairer funding for higher education, by lobbying MPs’ to make sure they listen to the students in the area in this pivotal time for HE funding.
Above all, I am a candidate who will be there when support is needed, not just on campus with flyers, but with real support when you need it.
If elected I will be the Convenor who will deliver. By the first fresher’s fair in September, WMANUS will have a new web site, that is working for our members, which would include blogs, contact info for all officers, diary of campaigns and events, polls, message boards, campaigns, to name but a few.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch - I want my campaign to become your convenor, to be directed by you!
Fee x
WMANUS: Where next?
WMANUS is at a serious crossroads with regards to the future of the organisation, with many serious questions now being asked regarding the validity of its existence in its current form. I believe that it is time that we hold an open and honest consultation with the membership about just what exactly they want to see their area become in the future.
And when we talk about the future, we can no longer be referring to one or two year plans, we need to be prepared to be looking at the movement in 5, 10, 20 years down the line. Where do we want to be? And, when it comes to the existence of a powerful student movement, a force to be reckoned with, I believe wholeheartedly that areas such as WMANUS need to be at the heart of the organisation. But, in this economic climate, can we do it cheaper? Do we need a full time officer? An office costing us £1000’s per year, when in fact, we should be out on campus day in, day out?
As your area convenor, I don’t want my year in office to be spent holding a time consuming governance review, but I do think we need to hold an open consultation on where you want us to go – and that needn’t be time consuming, or take me away from campaigning, but it does need to be done. In order to support and fight for you, WMANUS needs to know what you want!
I know that we’re not happy, my own union has held talks on our continuing affiliation to WMANUS, which is why I know that I have the same doubts as you, and why I know that whilst WMANUS is important to me, and I believe it is an important part of the West Midlands, I also know that right now, it’s not working to its full potential.
I will launch this consultation, in an environment in which we can say as honestly and openly as we want, what we want, or more importantly, what we need. And, as your convenor, I will compile this report for conference 2010, ready for the membership to vote on where they want to go.
A fully inclusive, interactive and open debate on the future of WMANUS, held on your campus with your members – not in closed rooms.
A more accessible and transparent WMANUS – one in which you can engage, one where you can find the information you need, when you need it, be in on a new website, a chat forum, through an email data base, or at the local and regional campaigning forums I will set up.
A WMANUS that is worth your affiliation fees, with a convenor that will be on your campuses, developing and supporting you, and helping you to achieve.
Breaking down the barriers to a fairer funded education system
As we enter the period in which the crucial 09 funding review is due to set into motion, the West Midlands needs someone who is capable of fighting for a realistic set of aims. Gone are the days where “Free Education For All” could be our only stance. We need to continue the fight for free education, but first we need to prevent our government from worsening the already spiralling levels of student debt. Along with NUS I have led Staffs Union in the Broke & Broken campaign, where I commissioned a website (www.brokebroken.co.uk) to show in real time the Student Debt that is accumulating. We need to unite FE and HE in this key fight for a fairly funded education system.
Lobby MPs and Vice Chancellors to denounce the proposals of a hike in course fees.
A mass demonstration and rally in on the 2009 Review and keeping the cap.
Working with unions to ensure that they are breaking down the barriers allowing access to hard to reach areas.
Supporting the “Feedback Amnesty” and “Hidden Course Costs” campaigns
Making the first year count...not £3k worth of debt for nothing!
Defending & Extending, on your campus and in your community
The West Midlands will be a massive target for the BNP not just in the upcoming European and Local elections, but in the General elections which we, as an area should be building towards next year. I have a strong history as an adamant anti-racist anti-fascist campaigner and I have proven my determination and passion locally, I want to continue fighting the BNP as your Convenor.
Student safety in the West Midlands is a key concern. Selly Oak in Birmingham is the 3rd most dangerous place to live in the country. With an escalating crime rate across our region we need to be united with hard hitting grass roots student safety campaigns.
Represent the West Midlands regionally within Hope not Hate, UAF and LMHR/LMHH to ensure that their campaigns are student focussed and relevant to us.
Assist you to build locally in your cities and on your campuses to defeat the BNP and any other fascist organisation who attempt to establish.
Continue the work with the TUC in fighting for rights for our increasing student worker population – Naming and shaming dodgy employers!
Lobby local authorities for better lighting, safer communities and stricter private rent regulations across the region.
Roll out the hugely popular and interactive 'Safer Students' campaign accross the West Midlands
Student safety in the West Midlands is a key concern. Selly Oak in Birmingham is the 3rd most dangerous place to live in the country. With an escalating crime rate across our region we need to be united with hard hitting grass roots student safety campaigns.
Represent the West Midlands regionally within Hope not Hate, UAF and LMHR/LMHH to ensure that their campaigns are student focussed and relevant to us.
Assist you to build locally in your cities and on your campuses to defeat the BNP and any other fascist organisation who attempt to establish.
Continue the work with the TUC in fighting for rights for our increasing student worker population – Naming and shaming dodgy employers!
Lobby local authorities for better lighting, safer communities and stricter private rent regulations across the region.
Roll out the hugely popular and interactive 'Safer Students' campaign accross the West Midlands
Returning Unions To Their Grass-Roots Members
The West Midlands is a vibrant community of students from all backgrounds. I believe that liberation is a key area for anyone who involves with the student movement and that all areas deserve to be equally represented with the enthusiasm and passion our activists bring. I will be the Convenor who shares this passion, who delivers engaging, involving and innovative grass-
roots campaigns.
Set up working groups to develop open and inclusive grass roots policy for our campaigns, enabling not just officers interested in certain campaign area's to get involved, but students too.
Organise to mobilise a regional demonstration with relation to the funding review.
WMANUS cannot simply continue to organise on a regional level. We need to bring WMANUS to your cities and your towns to work collaboratively to achieve the change that our members want. I will set up city forums for institutions to work together to achieve a collective change for a common cause.
9% of HE students study in FE institutions. We need stronger relationships to ensure that all our students no matter which college or which campus have their rights defended. As well as setting up city forums, I will set up collaborative working groups to ensure that HE unions are able to engage fully with their partner colleges.
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